Family-controlled businesses are a common fixture in the Middle East commercial scene. If you count yourself among this group, you would also do well to practice a smart and secure way to grow your business and take care of your investments. Most family-owned and run enterprises rely on the expertise of reputable law firms that can provide tailor-made solutions for certain legal situations. Expert advice from attorneys helps them make more informed decisions that are in accordance with the rule of law.
There’s a whole gamut of lawyer services that a person or a whole family can avail themselves of when it comes to growing and protecting their investments. When you have millions worth of assets, you would want to make sure that you also make wise business decisions in order to avoid legal repercussions and costly mistakes.
Investing in a reliable and trustworthy team of skilled lawyers would be a step in the right direction. Aside from being kept abreast of local and international legal updates, they also have the experience and network to make things happen smoothly and swiftly.
Investing Wisely
If you’re wondering about what legal services you can avail yourself of when it comes to your private wealth, finances, or investments, here are three that can make your life a little easier:
1. Lawyer Services for Family Business and Private Wealth
Family-owned corporations usually dominate in key industries in the Middle East. If you are doing business in the United Arab Emirates, then it is considered standard to get yourself a trusty lawyer to help with the legal aspects of your family business as well as for wealth management and preservation.
Your lawyers can help you with the following:
- Build legal structures to protect and defend your family assets and investment from legal risks and exposures.
- Design bespoke solutions to insulate your family business from disruption during transition periods.
- Develop clear and structured family agreements and trust deeds for a smooth transition to future stewards.
- Present thoughtfully crafted frameworks that can alleviate and resolve issues without damaging family relationships.
- Construct clear pathways for stewardship and succession in accordance with common and Sharia law inheritance rules.
- Prepare wills for non-Muslims and expatriates based on the corresponding legal system.
2. Private Client Services
Whether you have a family business, are a high net worth individual, an entrepreneur or a high-profile celebrity or VIP, you can also benefit from the legal expertise of lawyers who can assist with various personal or private matters.
With a legal counsel on your side, you can take advantage of strategic and innovative solutions for your unique needs and objectives. With deep market insight, industry exposure and breadth of practice, and an extensive network that spans borders and reach across the globe, high-caliber lawyers can help you with:
- Assisting and managing international business affairs, including coordination with accountants, education and real estate consultants, financial institutions, international law firms, and tax advisers.
- Insightful advice on corporate and commercial investments and structuring.
- Assistance in resolving disputes that include arbitration litigation, and out-of-court settlements.
- Facilitating family legal matters including issues on divorce, alimony and custody, as well as in succession planning, inheritance, and wills.
3. Lawyer Services for Private Equity
If you have investments in shares outside of the stock exchange, then you can also take advantage of the expertise that a legal team can afford you. There are legal specialists who can help you with private equity and institutional investor concerns. They can offer astute advice on a regional and global scale on matters concerning:
- Capital injection and investment exits
- Commercial law
- Corporate law
- Due diligence on debt or equity financial products and assets
- Growth Capital
- Leveraged buy-outs
- Structuring
- Venture capital
You can also take advantage of their strategic and creative solutions when it comes to the whole investment lifecycle covering all fund types, incorporation and licensing of investment special purpose vehicles (SPVs), and liquidations, among others.
A ‘Firm’ Belief
When it comes to your own business, it is best to make sure that all areas are covered. The experience and expertise of trained lawyers and legal counsel will work to your advantage especially when dealing with regulatory rules and processes. Their tactical approach to your concerns will ensure that you and your wealth will be well-managed and protected.
If you want to preserve and continue to enjoy the smooth-sailing operation of your business and management of your investments, investing in a solid and respectable firm will be a choice you will surely thank yourself for.
AUTHOR BIO
Sharon Danso-Missah is the Head of Marketing at Al Tamimi & Company, the largest law firm in the Middle East, with 17 offices across nine countries. Established in 1989, they are a full service commercial firm combining knowledge, experience and expertise to ensure all clients have access to the best legal solutions that are commercially sound and cost effective.